Special Operations

The Special Operation Division, under the direction of Deputy Chief Coyle Kinard is responsible for the identifying and investigating of organized crimes such as; Narcotics, Vice and Drug money laundering. This Division has a broad array of other specialized services, including Intelligence Led investigations, Dignitary Protection, Major Accident investigations, Harbor Patrol, and Information Services.

1. The Special Enforcement Bureau is supervised by the Bureau Commander with the rank of Captain. The bureau is divided into two sections, which are each supervised by a Lieutenant who reports directly to the Bureau Commander. These sections are the Field Operations Section and the Street Operations Section, which are described as follows:

(a) The Field Operations Section has four units, which are the Warrants Unit, Traffic Unit, K-9 Unit and Harbor Patrol Unit. The Warrants Unit, Traffic Unit and K-9 Units are each supervised by a Sergeant. All three sergeants report directly to the section Lieutenant. The Field Support Section also includes a federal task force officer.

(1) The Warrant Unit is responsible for the maintenance of warrants generated by the City of North Charleston Police Department or Municipal Court. This may include entering and validating warrants, serving warrants, and intra-state extradition of subjects with warrants pending.

(2) The Traffic Unit is responsible for investigating traffic accidents, enforcing traffic laws, and promoting traffic safety within the City of North Charleston. The Traffic Unit is divided into a Day Team and Evening Team, each supervised by a Sergeant.

(3) The K-9 Unit is supervised by a Sergeant and is responsible for assisting other components of the department by providing canine support and detection.

(4) The Harbor Patrol Unit reports directly to the day shift Traffic Sergeant and is responsible for all maritime patrol, which includes ship escorts and boat safety, within the jurisdictional waters of the City of North Charleston.

(5) The department is participating agency in the Seahawk Task Force and has a minimum of one officer assigned. The assigned officer(s) report directly to the day shift Traffic Sergeant.

(b) The Street Operations Section has three units, which are the S.P.E.E.D. Team Unit, Narcotics Unit and the Intelligence-Led Policing Unit. The S.P.E.E.D. Team Unit, the Narcotics Unit and the ILP Unit are each supervised by a Sergeant. All three sergeants report directly to the section Lieutenant. This section also includes one task force operation and an Asset Forfeiture Administrator. These units and assignments are described as follows:

(1) The S.P.E.E.D. Team Unit is responsible for establishing and creating community partnerships while deterring crime by using proactive enforcement strategies.

(3) The Intelligence Led Policing Unit, which is composed of SWAT Team members, monitors repeat violent offenders and builds intelligence in an effort to reduce violent crimes committed by these offenders within the city. The Unit also focuses on locating and serving outstanding warrants on violent offenders.

(4) An Administrative Specialist is assigned to the Asset Forfeiture position within the Narcotics Unit and reports directly to the Narcotics Unit Sergeant. The Asset Forfeiture Administrator files civil actions for the forfeiture of money or property seized by officers of the department.

(5) The department is a participating agency in the federal Drug Enforcement Administration Task Force and has a minimum of one officer assigned. The officer(s) assigned report directly to the Narcotics Unit Sergeant.

(6) The department is a participating agency in the federal US Marshall Task Force and has a minimum of one officer assigned. The officer(s) assigned report directly to the Intelligence-Led Policing Sergeant.

2. The Information Services Bureau is supervised by the Bureau Commander with the rank of Captain. The bureau is divided into three sections, which are each supervised by a Lieutenant who reports directly to the Bureau Commander. These sections are the Records Section, Duty Officer Section and the Holding Facility Section, which are described as follows:

(a) The Records Section is managed by the Police Records Supervisor, who is responsible for the clerical management of daily reports and records. The Police Records Supervisor reports directly to the Information Services Section Sergeant.

(b) The Duty Officer Section is supervised by a Sergeant and is responsible for handling walk-in or telephone reports from citizens in an effort to assist officers of the department by providing them increased time for proactive police measures. The unit is also responsible for the security of North Charleston City Hall after business hours as well as warrant retrieval and wrecker service administrative procedures.

(c) The Holding Facility Section is responsible for the transport, security, and initial administrative photographing and fingerprinting of prisoners prior to being released or lodged at the Charleston or Dorchester County Detention Center. This unit is also responsible for the coordination and management of the community service sentencing program.